Free to Be... A Family: A Historic US-Soviet Television Collaboration
In the late 1980s, as global political tensions began to shift, a unique television event sought to bridge the gap between two superpowers through the eyes of children. Free to Be... A Family was a landmark television special broadcast on December 14, 1988, designed to foster international understanding and peace.
Hosted by Marlo Thomas, the program served as a nominal sequel to the highly successful 1974 ABC Afterschool Special, Free to Be... You and Me. While the original focused on individual identity, this follow-up expanded its scope to global kinship.
The Vision Behind the Special
The inspiration for the project stemmed from the work of Phil Donahue, the husband of Marlo Thomas and a prominent talk show host. Throughout the 1980s, Donahue hosted a series of space-bridge telecasts—live, satellite-linked broadcasts that allowed citizens of the United States and the Soviet Union to communicate in real-time.
Motivated by these exchanges, Thomas believed that international cooperation should begin in childhood. She envisioned a program that would emphasize the shared experiences of children in the U.S. and Russia, demonstrating that despite political borders, children are fundamentally the same and can relate to one another.
A Star-Studded Production
The special was a joint production between the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) and Soviet Union television, airing just three years before the dissolution of the USSR. To capture the attention of young audiences, the production featured an eclectic and high-profile cast of performers.
- The Muppets
- Robin Williams
- Jon Bon Jovi
- Lily Tomlin
- Penn and Teller
- Carly Simon
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Multimedia Expansion and Recognition
The reach of Free to Be... A Family extended beyond the television screen. The project was supported by a companion record album and a book featuring contributions from writers such as Christopher Cerf.
The quality and impact of the production were recognized by the industry when it won the 1989 Emmy Award for Outstanding Children's Program.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Broadcast Date | December 14, 1988 |
| Host | Marlo Thomas |
| Producing Networks | ABC and Soviet Union Television |
| Major Award | 1989 Emmy for Outstanding Children's Program |
| Associated Media | Book and Record Album |
Key Facts
- Broadcast on December 14, 1988, as a joint US-Soviet production.
- Hosted by Marlo Thomas as a sequel to the 1974 special Free to Be... You and Me.
- Inspired by Phil Donahue's US-Soviet space-bridge telecasts.
- Featured a diverse cast including Robin Williams, The Muppets, and Jon Bon Jovi.
- Won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Children's Program in 1989.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the primary goal of Free to Be... A Family?
The purpose of the special was to highlight the similarities between children in the United States and Russia, promoting the idea that they could relate to one another in hopes of bringing peace between the two nations.
Who hosted the television special?
The program was hosted by Marlo Thomas.
Which networks collaborated on the production?
The special was a joint production between ABC in the United States and television services in the Soviet Union.
What other media accompanied the television broadcast?
The television special was accompanied by a record album and a book, the latter of which included contributions from Christopher Cerf.
Did the program receive any critical acclaim?
Yes, the special won the 1989 Emmy Award for Outstanding Children's Program.